I am wondering wether it is possible to submit iphone Apps on my developer account, but on behalf of several clients. So while the author tag in iTunes would show me or my company, any contact information, copyright information etc. within the app would point to my client. So I would like to act as a "host provider" for submitting and maintaining the apps for third parties.

-most important question: Does Apple allow that?
-are there legal implications I should be aware of (in general, I know it depends on my local laws)?

Technically it is possible, but I don't think anyone here will be able to provide you with reliable information regarding the legal implications. As this is mainly a legal question I believe SO is the wrong place to ask anyway. If I were you, I'd email or call apple and ask them for their opinion. If it's ok for them I think it's mainly a matter of setting up proper contracts to sort out responsibilities, license stuff and the like.
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ToastorFeb 14 '11 at 15:37

Thank you for your answer. I thought that this is somewhat offtopic for this place, but then again, given all the iOS devs around here, I figured it likely that someone crossed this question in the past.
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marimbaFeb 14 '11 at 16:21

2 Answers
2

Without even considering the legal points of Apple's developer agreement, both you and your clients will WANT to keep separate accounts because you must both be prepared to "break up".

Keep in mind that from Apple's point-of-view, an app is "owned" by the account that submitted it. So:

Money for an app goes to that account.

Updates to an app come from that account.

Information about purchases and downloads go to that account.

By delivering apps with your account, the client would not be in control of their own destiny. If they split from you, they can't take their app or their information with them. No update to the app can come from another account. Customers would need to re-purchase (even for free) from the new account delivering the app.

Even if you WANTED to give them the account, you have to consider your other clients and the ownership of your own apps. And we don't know if Apple would even allow it.

Even with the best of developer-client relationships, if something happened to you, the client would still be in same position. Without your account (kept current with yearly fees), the app would be withdrawn from the app store. (Existing customers keep their apps, but no one can get updates or new copies.)

And you would need to be in the middle forever. You would have to respond to customer requests for data from iTunes Connect. You might have to forward money, etc. Perhaps even after you've stopped consulting to take a day job, after retirement, etc.

You would also need to divide your account's 100 ad-hoc devices among your clients. That might not be practical.

Your client should always create and pay for their own account. Then they should connect their account to yours with an invitation. If I recall correctly, this may be required by some versions of Apple's agreements. (Obligatory note to consult with a lawyer for legal advice.)

The client is always at liberty to let you handle the delivery of the app, or you can charge them hourly fees to teach them how to deliver. Or you can do everything up to putting in the password and just have them type it when needed.

That way, either party can go separate ways at any time. And if a client does leave you, you can remind them to change all the passwords on the accounts so you have less exposure to liability after the split.

If you contracted an app for a client, they may want you to publish it for them (Publishing app on itunes is quite complex when you don't know about it, and especially if you don't develop the app).

You can publish it and fill in contact and others with your clients' information. The only issues you will have are the following:

Legals: If your clients is the owner of the app, or it content, make sure to provide legal copyright papers when submitting your app. A simple paper from your client saying he is the owner and that he grants you the right to use and publish the game/content will be alright.

Money wires: If the app is not free, you may have to wire money from your personnal account to your client's accounts. I don't know if any solution exists about that but usualy a game studio makes money out of a game, and a client asking for a game is looking for promotion so I don't know if this happened already.